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Job for life IOC makes Samaranch honorary life president
MOSCOW (AP) -- Three days before he steps down after 21 years as IOC president, Juan Antonio Samaranch was made honorary life president of the organization. At the opening of the 112th IOC general assembly Friday, Samaranch was also awarded the gold Olympic order -- the IOC's highest honor. In addition, the IOC's 100-plus delegates approved the proposal to rename the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, as the Samaranch Museum. Honorary life president is a ceremonial title that was also conferred on Samaranch's late predecessor, Lord Killanin. "Thank you for your generosity," Samaranch said after the decisions were approved by applause. "I will be always at the disposal of the new president and the executive board if they need my advice, if they need my collaboration." On Monday, the IOC will elect Samaranch's successor. Five candidates are in the running: Belgium's Jacques Rogge, South Korea's Kim Un-yong, Canada's Dick Pound, Anita DeFrantz of the United States and Hungary's Dick Pound. Rogge, Kim and Pound are the leading contenders.
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